Researchers from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas have developed a novel approach to cancer treatment by utilizing aminocyanine molecules activated by near-infrared light. These molecules, traditionally employed as synthetic dyes in bioimaging, can attach to cancer cell membranes. When stimulated, they vibrate in unison, generating mechanical forces that disrupt and break apart the membranes of cancer cells. In laboratory experiments, this method achieved a 99% success rate in destroying cultured cancer cells. Additionally, tests on mice with melanoma tumors showed that half of the treated animals became cancer-free.
This technique represents a significant advancement over previous molecular machines, such as Feringa-type motors, by operating more than a million times faster and being activatable with near-infrared light, which penetrates deeper into bodily tissues. The researchers refer to these advanced molecules as “molecular jackhammers.” Their unique structure allows them to form plasmons—collective electron vibrations—that drive the mechanical action necessary to rupture cancer cell membranes. This innovative approach offers a promising avenue for non-invasive cancer therapies, potentially enabling the treatment of tumors located deep within the body without the need for surgical intervention. Click for More Details
